3 Tips to Have More Confident Body Language

Did you know that your body language mirrors your emotions?

When you feel good about yourself, it shows in the way you walk, talk and move. The same is true when you feel uncertain, fearful, angry, annoyed, or sad.

About 90% of our communication is nonverbal. This means that when we speak, our words convey only a small portion of what is being said. Our posture, mannerism, voice intonation, facial micro-expressions, and our choice of clothing, tells people more than we realize.

Your Body Talks Even If You Don't.

The question is, are you aware of your body says? Do you know what information it leaks to those around you? Would you like to know how others perceive you? Are you interested in having more control over your nonverbal cues?

Here Are 3 Simple Tips To Instantly Appear More Confident:

• Stand/ walk tall. Don't slouch or collapse your body in any way. Take up some space, try not to make yourself appear smaller than you are. Notice that confident people tend to make themselves comfortable wherever they are. They're unafraid to take up space.

• Relax and breathe ––nice and slow. Simply relaxing your breathing will relax your entire body, making you look less tense and more comfortable in your own skin. Notice that when you are stressed or anxious, your muscles tend to tighten up ––this often makes you look tense and uncomfortable, making others around you uncomfortable as well. Why? Because people tend to mirror each other unconsciously. So, if you want someone to relax in your company, learn to relax first.

• Voice tonality and cadence/ rhythm: When you speak, slow down, don't rush. Take your time to pronounce each word clearly. This signals that you are perfectly comfortable expressing your opinion, instead of rushing through just to get over with it. Speak loud enough for the other person to hear you. Whenever possible, lower the tone of your voice (not the sound). High pitched voices tend to come across as nervous and stressed.

Bonus: To appear more poised and confident, try not to fidget when you speak.

Practice Makes Perfect.

Anytime you try something new, something you have never done before, chances are you won't be great at it right away. To get instant feedback, try to practice in front of a mirror and record yourself.

This simple yet powerful exercise can have several benefits:

• Self-awareness: Seeing yourself in the mirror or hearing your voice on a recording provides valuable feedback about your nonverbal communication, such as body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice. This helps you become more aware of how you come across to others.

• Notice mannerisms quirks: When speaking with others, or during a presentation, it's important to be aware of any unconscious habits or mannerisms that may be distracting, such as fidgeting, nervous gestures, or vocal quirks.

• Objective feedback: Recording or filming yourself can give you a fresh perspective on how you express yourself. By reviewing the recording, you can become aware of both strengths and weaknesses in your communication style, which will allow you to improve any vocal or physical habit that may be distracting or unflattering.
  

Understanding your nonverbal cues can have a positive impact on your interactions with others. By becoming more aware of your body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions, you can increase your charisma and create stronger relationships. Just remember that practice makes perfect, so don't get discouraged if you don't get it right instantly. With time and practice, you will notice positive changes. So, embrace the learning phase and have fun practicing your new skills!